This summer WashU Neurosurgery welcomed four new residents to our program: Ajay Chatrath, MD, PhD, Tatenda Mahlokozera, MD, PhD, Alexander Perdomo Pantoja, MD, and Jane Yuan, MSCI, MD. All four have quickly acclimated to life as a neurosurgery resident. Learn about the challenges and accomplishments that the first few months have brought.
Ajay Chatrath, MD, PhD
What drew you to neurosurgery?
I was quickly drawn to surgery in medical school, as I loved being in the operating room and the idea of being able to very directly treat patients. I enjoyed learning about the highly intricate nature of the nervous system. Neurosurgery was the obvious choice for me, especially given the meticulous nature of the surgeries.
What has surprised you the most about your residency experience so far?
I am surprised at how much I have learned in just a few months of residency. The faculty, other residents, APPs, nurses, and other staff have contributed immensely to my education and every night when I leave the hospital my clinical skills are always at least a little better than when I came in that morning.
What are a few of your hobbies?
Spending time in Forest Park, eating at restaurants in the Central West End, stock market investing, video games, Netflix and swimming.
Where are a few of your favorite spots to eat or spend time at in St. Louis?
Rasoi, Zenwich, Poke Doke, Medina Grill, Pi Pizza, Dewey’s Pizza, Jeni’s Ice Cream and Ted Drewes.
Tatenda Mahlokozera, MD, PhD
What drew you to neurosurgery?
I was drawn to neurosurgery by the complexity of both the anatomy and pathologies of the central nervous system, and the opportunity to use my training and skills to take care of some of the most challenging patients in the hospital and help restore their health where possible. I also have a long-standing interest in advancing surgical and molecular therapies for brain and spinal cord tumors and look forward to further exploring these areas during my training here.
What has surprised you the most about your residency experience so far?
I have mostly been pleasantly surprised by the tremendous amount of support I have received from both my co-residents and the faculty. While the learning curve has been steep and expectations for performance high as they should be, I have found that everyone has been invested in teaching, giving constructive criticism and offering encouragement as I navigate my intern year.
What are a few of your hobbies?
Playing and watching several sports, particularly football, basketball, soccer and tennis. I also enjoy traveling, hiking, and collecting vinyl records.
Where are a few of your favorite spots to eat or spend time at in St. Louis?
Some of my favorite spots in St. Louis are Jazz at the Bistro and The Fabulous Fox Theatre. CityPark (St Louis City FC home stadium) will join the list when MLS comes here in 2023. For food, my favorite places currently are Olio and Vicia.
Alexander Perdomo Pantoja, MD
What drew you to neurosurgery?
Early in medical school, the neurosciences, and in particular neuroanatomy, captivated my interest more than any other subject because of its complexity. High cognitive demands of neurosurgery are challenging, but its unique potential to intervene with a patients’ problems in a way that non-surgeons can not still excites me.
What has surprised you the most about your residency experience so far?
The immense amount of things to learn every day in Neurosurgery, from the literature, faculty, and peers. And how important and essential keeping a collaborative culture of the program is to achieve excellence. #WashUWay
What are a few of your hobbies?
I enjoy keeping up with new discoveries and trends in space exploration and astrophysics. I like going to the movies, visiting museums, going for a run outdoors, visiting my hometown in Mexico on holidays/vacation and learning about new spots here in St. Louis. Pretty much anything that involves spending time with my loved ones and friends.
Where are a few of your favorite spots to eat or spend time at in St. Louis?
I’m new to this city and still hunting new favorite spots. I enjoy spending time in the area surrounding Barnes, Forest Park and the Central West End neighborhood; I love to jog and walk on immense, possibly the largest in the US, greens and to visit free museums and the zoo. Central West End is a very nice place to live with many restaurants, and some bars and coffee shops. Also, walking in the downtown is something I have enjoyed a lot, including the mandatory visit to the Gateway Arch. No BBQ restaurant in St. Louis has failed me yet.
Jane Yuan, MSCI, MD
What drew you to neurosurgery?
I was always interested in neuroscience, so I was drawn to neurosurgery for the critical patient management as well as opportunities for cutting edge neuroscience research.
What has surprised you the most about your residency experience so far?
What has surprised me about residency so far is how much I am able to learn each day despite feeling busy and on the go all day. This is in thanks to senior residents who take the time to teach at every opportunity.
What are a few of your hobbies?
Weightlifting, video games and being a cat mom.
Where are a few of your favorite spots to eat or spend time at in St. Louis?
Sides of Seoul, Cate Zone and Pastaria.